Chipotle Morita Chile Powder

1/2 cup glass jar (2.9 oz net wt)

1 oz bag

4 oz bag

1 lb bulk bag

SKU:100226 007

Price: $16.28

Quantity

5 lb bulk bag

SKU:100226 008

Price: $54.03

Quantity

25 lb bulk box

SKU:100226 010

Price: $195.80

Quantity

50 lb bulk box

SKU:100226 013

Price: $374.06

Quantity

Description

Pronounced "chi-POHT-lay" Chipotle peppers are indigenous to Mexico and they've become almost synonymous in this country with our fairly recent infatuation with “chiles”. Chiles immediately bring to mind their heat
but many chiles may also be a bit more on the mild side while adding a deliciously subtle
flavor to many dishes when used in correct amounts. Chipotles are actually fully ripened and then
smoked dried jalapenos (Capsicum annuum).

It takes 10 pounds of fresh jalapaneo peppers to make one pound of dried Chipotles. The final result is a dark brown to black colored, shriveled pepper that has a smoky and slightly sweet chocolaty flavor and aroma.

More than One Type of Chipotle

A true chile head knows that not all Chipotles are created equal. There are actually two types of Chipotle chiles found in the US. The more common is the Chipotle “Morita” and the harder to find (and the one that serious chile lovers believe is better quality) smoked jalapeno that’s called the Chipotle “Meco”. These are also known as chile meco, chile Ahumado, brown chipotles or chipotle tipico.The more common variety of smoked jalapenos is usually referred to as just “chipotle chiles”. This chile is typically the variety known as Chipotle “Morita” which translates to "little blackberry" in Spanish.Both the "Meco" and the "Morita" are smoked jalapenos. The heat of the jalapeno remains with the addition of a deep smoky flavor.

There are some not so subtle differences between the two – the "Morita" style jalapeno is harvested when it is still green, while the "Meco" variety is harvested when the jalapeno has fully ripened to a rich red color. The "Meco" tends to be larger than the "Morita" and is also smoked about twice as long. The “Meco” is stiff with a grayish-tan coloring and is best described as resembling a cigar butt. The “Mecos” are smoked for several days which removes most of the moisture. This makes them less leathery and pliable than the "Morita." But, this does give the Meco a smokier, more intensely rich flavor than the "Morita". Chipotle Morita chiles are produced in Northern Mexico, while the Chipotle Mecos are typically grown in Central and Southern Mexico.

Sometimes the smoky flavor is artificially produced through the use of liquid smoke. This is typically done in cases of manufacturers using gas drying chambers to speed up the drying process. Our chiles dried naturally and are smoked genuinely with the use of pecan wood or applewood.

History

Chipotles are one of the first and oldest cultivated crops in the Western Hemisphere dating back to before the Aztec civilization. They originated in the region of Mexico that today is northern Mexico City. Most chiles can be dried using the sun, but not Jalapenos. Chile historians believe that the Aztecs first smoked jalapeno peppers because the fleshy, thick jalapeno was difficult to dry by the sun and tended to rot. This "smoke drying" process was initially used for drying meats but the Aztecs found that smoking allowed the chiles to be stored for a long period of time, also.

As the Aztec empire began to rise, so did their imports and exports. Chipotles were very highly prized for trading and were also used at royal ceremonies. At an Aztec banquet, chiles were used in a ceremonial sauce that was served to the emperor and his guests. It was prepared with a mixture of chiles, tomatoes, nuts, pumpkin seeds, chocolate and caramel. This sauce was used to flavor venison, fowl and seafood.

Today, Chipotles are grown in Veracruz, Oaxaca, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, South Texas and Southern New Mexico.

Flavor and Heat

These chiles have a smoky, somewhat sweet chocolaty aroma and flavor. They are considered a medium heat chile with a bit of a kick to them as they register 5,000 - 10,000 SHU (Scoville Heat Units).